SEJ Resource Guide: Religion and the Environment

April 2003 guide to faith-based groups and programs involved in environmental issues in North America. See related TipSheet item, April 2, 2003.

Interfaith / Buddhism / Christian Orthodox / "Earth Spirituality" / Hinduism / Islam / Judaism / Native Spirituality / Protestant / Roman Catholicism / Government Programs / Opposition


INTERFAITH

Key Interfaith Declarations:

Forum on Religion and Ecology, Harvard Center for the Environment: Information-rich Web site with backgrounders and resources covering many world faiths. 2003 event list. 617-384-9516, fore@environment.harvard.edu. Founded by husband-and-wife team from Bucknell Univ.: Mary Evelyn Tucker (570-577-3180) and John Grim (570-577-1850).

Interfaith Climate Change Committee. Collaborative effort of the Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. Currently lobbying against the Bush Administration's Clear Skies Initiative. Also spearheads the "What Would Jesus Drive" and "Driven by Values" anti-SUV campaigns. Doug Grace, NRPE (202-544-5530) has list of state coordinators. COEJL: Mark Jacobs, 212-684-6950 x210.
- ICCN November 2002 statements on energy conservation and fuel economy signed by many mainstream US religious leaders.

National Council of Churches of Christ USA, Eco-Justice Working Group, 212-870-2385, ECOJUSTICE@NCCCUSA.ORG. Coalition of 36 Christian protestant and Orthodox denominations. Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar: 212-870-2025.

National Religious Partnership for the Environment: Paul Gorman, 413-253-1515. Alliance of major Christian and Jewish groups.

The Regeneration Project: Rev. Sally Bingham (Grace Episcopal Cathedral, San Francisco), 415-561-4891.
- Key program: California Interfaith Power & Light, 510-444-4078, info@interfaithpower.org. Offers energy conservation education, support for CA congregations. A March 2003 editorial in Church Executive magazine praised this program.

Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation: Fred Krueger, 707-573-3162.

Religious Witness for the Earth (New England): Rev. Susan Veronica Rak.

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BUDDHISM

Buddhist Peace Fellowship: Sibylle Scholz: 510-655-6169 x300. Local affiliates.
- August 2002: Statement on energy reform.

General: Many Buddhist temples and meditation centers have adopted eco-friendly principles in their design and operation. Example: Green Gulch Farm Zen Center (Sausalito, CA).

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CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX (Eastern, Greek)

Ecumenical Patriarchy of Constantinople: Sept. 2002 Encyclical on the Environment
- Religion, Science, and the Environment symposia project: John Bennett, (+30 97 242 0693), Andrew Marshall (+30 97 242 0694), rsesympo@compulink.gr.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: Fr. Nektarios Morrow (212-570-3506), Nikki Stephanopoulos (212-570-3530).

Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology: Orthodoxy and Ecology bibliography.

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"EARTH SPIRITUALITY" (Paganism, Wicca, etc.)

General: The natural environment is central to these emerging/rediscovered spiritual paths. This is addressed mainly at the individual or community level.

Nature Religion Scholars Network: Prof. Chas Clifton, Univ. Southern CO.

Prof. Graham Harvey, King's College Dept. of Religion (UK).

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HINDUISM

General: In the US, most Hinduism-influenced environmental activism or projects are organized by local communities, temples, and ashrams, rather than national or regional groups. Hindu.org list of major US temples and ashrams.

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ISLAM

Prof. Richard C. Foltz (352-392-1625), Univ. FL, author of "Worldviews, Religion, and the Environment: A Global Anthology." Teaches courses on Islam and nature.

Harvard conference on Islam and Ecology, 1998: Speakers, papers, resources.

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JUDAISM

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life: Spearheads "Driven by Values" anti-SUV campaign. Mark Jacobs: 212-684-6950 x210. Regional affiliates. Eco-friendly guide to celebrating the Jewish Holidays.

Jewish Council on Public Affairs: Statements on the environment and Jewish life. Rabinowitz Media: 202-265-3000.

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism: Alexis Rice, 202-387-2800.

Shalom Center (Philadelphia): Jewish environmental resources.

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NATIVE SPIRITUALITY

General: In most native communities, spirituality infuses every aspect of life. Look for spiritual aspects of community efforts. However, indigenous beliefs and spirituality are diverse. Don't rely on stereotypes – ask native spiritual leaders about specific spritual/religious connections to environmental issues.

First Nations Environmental Network (Canada): Contact list.

Indigenous Environmental Network: HQ (Bemidji, MN): 218-751-4967.

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PROTESTANT

The Au Sable Inst. of Envl. Studies provides university-level courses that cover "earth stewardship" from a "biblical" perspective, as well as community programs and other services: 608-663-4610.

Earth Ministry(Pacific NW group): Jim Mulligan, 206-632-2426.

Evangelical Environmental Network: Rev. Jim Ball: 202-554-1955.

Habitat for Humanity, construction and environmental resources: 229-924-6935 x2426, ConsEnv@hfhi.org. Local affiliates. HFH press office: Barbara Webber (229-924-6935 x2741), Carla Robinson (229-924-6935 x2869), Kimberly Moore (229-924-6935 x2843). Canada: Alyson Lachance, 519-885-4565 x245.

Presbyterians for Restoring Creation: Rebecca Barnes-Davies, 888-728-7228 x5811.

Quaker activities:
- Friends Committee on National Legislation, November 2002 legislative policy statement on the environment. Kathy Guthrie, 202-547-6000 x144
- Friends Energy Project: fep@attbi.com.

Target Earth International: 925-462-2439, info@targetearth.org. Sends Christians abroad as "environmental missionaries."

Web of Creation: Religion/environment resources from the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. David Rhoads, 773-256-0774.

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ROMAN CATHOLICISM

Catholic Conservation Center: Bill Jacobs

National Catholic Rural Life Conference: Br. Keith Warner, 831-635-7302.

Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sustainability Projects: 734-240-9716, ihmweb@ihmsisters.org

US Council of Catholic Bishops:
- Environmental Justice Program: Walter Grazer, 202-541-3182. June 2001 Bishops' statement on global climate change.
- Catholic Coalition on Children's Health and the Environment: Roxana Barillas: 202-541-3445

Vatican: June 2002 papal message on ecotourism.

Catholic World News: News brief on 1996 papal address about the environment and the penitential season of Lent.

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GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

EPA: Energy Star Congregations: Cathy Milbourn (202-564-7824), Dave Ryan (202-564-7827).

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OPPOSITION TO RELIGIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM

Acton Inst. for the Study of Religion and the Environment: Phil De Vous, 616-454-3080. Cornwall Statement opposing religious environmental activism. March 12, 2003 article, "EPA Preaches the Green Gospel." Philip de Vous, 616-454-3080.

Competitive Enterprise Institute: Chris Horner, 202-331-1010.

Ethics & Public Policy Center: Michael Cromartie: 202-682-1200.

Interfaith Council on Environmental Stewardship: 202-628-0777, info@stewards.net. Monograph: Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant Wisdom on the Environment.

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